Isle of Man TT - All Other Sports are Games

Just figured I'd give my annual shout out to the Isle of Man TT which is currently under way.

For those that don't know, the Isle of Man TT is an annual motorcycle race around the Isle of Man, an island between the Ireland and England. It is
the longest running motorized race of any kind going back over 100 years. The TT stands for Tourist Trophy and it is called such as this race is
literally the only thing happening for the most part on this small island nation.

The Isle of Man is also widely considered pretty much the most dangerous motor event (or any sporting event) for that matter. There have been nearly
300 deaths. Unfortunately, the race has already claimed two riders this week. Because the race actually takes place on public roads, with the bikes
hitting nearly 200mph on the long straights, there is zero margin for error. Riders are literally inches from spectators lining the streets, light
poles, curbs, etc. Even farm animals. The are gong so fast on some sections that literally get airborne cresting a hill.

Because of the danger and potential for death, one of the last unsolved mysteries of man is how these riders sit on their bikes with balls so big.

The other thing that makes this race so special is that the riders are generally amateur racers. Most have day jobs. The race is so dangerous, most
of the MotoGP racers won't go anywhere near it. These guys are true gladiators of racing.

Ernest Hemingway once said the only sports are mountain climbing, bull fighting, and motor racing. Everything else is just games. This event shows
why.

Anyway, just a couple of my favorite videos of this great event. And no, the videos are not sped up.

Great thread! Spot on with the title too. One of the last great and original examples of real and raw racing. Everything else in modern motor sport
just looks like a go-cart race at a miniature golf course.

Brief history of how 'safety' has castrated the world of racing...

Nascar : Nerfed into fake pro-wrestling.

Group B Rally : BANNED

Paris-Dakar : Moved to Argentina because of Terrorism.

Formula 1 : Self Driving Cars
... ... ...

Isle of Man : Still all out, flat out, balls out... and they better be made of steel.

originally posted by: rexsblues
Great thread! Spot on with the title too. One of the last great and original examples of real and raw racing. Everything else in modern motor sport
just looks like a go-cart race at a miniature golf course.

Brief history of how 'safety' has castrated the world of racing...

Nascar : Nerfed into fake pro-wrestling.

Group B Rally : BANNED

Paris-Dakar : Moved to Argentina because of Terrorism.

Formula 1 : Self Driving Cars
... ... ...

Isle of Man : Still all out, flat out, balls out... and they better be made of steel.

Yes, this is what makes this race so special. It is just raw racing in all its glory and danger. Spectators literally just inches away as riders
blow by at 180mph. A race like this would never be organized in today's litigious society. Only reason this race still exists is because it is on
this small island nation and basically a huge economic boost to the island and they've been hosting it 100 years.

These two videos just capture it... just look at these guys faces as the riders go by.

Note: In the first video, they are going by so fast if you look closely, you can see they are actually airborn from cresting a hill.

originally posted by: TheLotLizard
I would say that horseback riding is a more dangerous sport than Isle of Man racing. 300 deaths in the history of the Isle of Man racing pales in
comparison vs 200 in horseback racing per year.

Dangerous sure, the most dangerous I wouldn’t think so.

Even in the Motorsport world the Isle of Man is second to the Dakar rally and desert racing.

I have participated in TT races and is nowhere near as scary or dangerous. I feel it’s scarier just commuting on a motorcycle just around town than
a controlled course.

originally posted by: cynicalheathen
Not a two-wheeled motorhead ( haven't been on a bike since riding dirtbikes as a kid ), but the power-to-weight ratio of engines-to-balls in on the
Isle of Man is insane.

Put me on 4 wheels with some metal around me though, I can have a little fun. Planning on a standing half-mile event in September. Hope to see 145+ or
better out of an Ecotec.

You'll love this... Subaru WRX doing a lap on the Isle of Man. Cockpit view and narrated by driver.

originally posted by: TheLotLizard
I would say that horseback riding is a more dangerous sport than Isle of Man racing. 300 deaths in the history of the Isle of Man racing pales in
comparison vs 200 in horseback racing per year.

Dangerous sure, the most dangerous I wouldn’t think so.

Even in the Motorsport world the Isle of Man is second to the Dakar rally and desert racing.

I have participated in TT races and is nowhere near as scary or dangerous. I feel it’s scarier just commuting on a motorcycle just around town than
a controlled course.

Are you high?

Let’s see... there’s myself which has competed the last two years in the TT and you.... which sits in the chair while watching them.

I’m telling you that this race isn’t as nearly as difficult as you say it is. It’s mostly straights and nothing too technical.

You sound like one of the girlfriends that tells their partner just riding on the streets is too dangerous. Too cowardly to try and go out in the
world and try it for yourself.

If you want facts that the TT is not the most dangerous sport I’ll gladly show you.

I would say that horseback riding is a more dangerous sport than Isle of Man racing.

More people race horses than ride the Isle of Man TT so there is no comparison.

The Isle of Man TT is ridden on normal roads with all the dangers and obstacles normal roads bring , at those speeds just one lapse of concentration
can end in either death or serious injury , as has been shown over the years the Isle of Man TT is the world's most dangerous race and I salute those
with the balls to do it.

About a decade ago, I bought a ZRX 1200R (ZREX).... rode it about 2 months, could never get used to the power. It scared the living hell out of me.
Sold it to my brother who's a licensed NHRA drag racer and technician, he rode it for 2 months, could never get used to the power and sold it becuase
it scared the hell out of him.

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